Lisa Carrington has thrust herself firmly into the conversation over who is New Zealand's greatest Olympian with a typically commanding victory in the K1 200m final.
The extraordinary Ohope paddler, who will race in the K2 500m with Caitlin Regal in an hour, joins rower Hamish Bond as the only New Zealanders to have won three gold medals in consecutive Olympics. Bond achieved the feat on Friday when he was part of the winning men's eight.
The K1 200m is a sprint in which the smallest error, whether it is being a fraction late on the jump or a slight catch on a stroke, can be the difference between first and nowhere, Carrington's dominance in the discipline is not only unprecedented but unlikely to be repeated.
Carrington jumped quickly on the Sea Forest Waterway course and never looked like being headed. It was so dominant it was ridiclous, winning in an Olympic best 38.120s.
Spain's Teresa Portela was second in 38.883; Denmark's Emma Jorgensen third.
It was New Zealand's fifth gold medal of the games.